The Summer Fair

On the first Saturday in July, moms and dads in the small village of Green Mountain organized the annual summer fair. The parents would set up games, cook special foods and fill tables with crafts made by the forest animals in the valley between forest trees and river streams.

A large mountain overlooked the valley where Alfie, the red-tailed fox, lived in a secret cave with his sister and their parents. Alfie had a curious spirit and a habit of exploring the forests and lakes around his home with his animal friends. Alfie had just celebrated his fifth birthday, so he was now old enough to compete in the races at this year’s fair.

“Alfie,” said his Dad, “If you want to run in the races at the fair, you need to practice.”

“Poppa, I’m a red tailed fox, and I run faster than any animal in the forest.”

“You think you can run faster than Billy Bunny or Danny Deer?” asked his Dad.

“Well, maybe I will practice a little bit, just to be sure,” said Alfie.

“Alfie, have you finished building your bird house for the craft sale? Your sister has already finished her straw basket.” asked his Momma.

“I just need to add some more twigs on the roof. Don’t worry, I will be finished in time,” said Alfie.

Finally, the day of the fair arrived, and all the forest animals could get together to celebrate summer and play some games. Alfie couldn’t wait to join his friends, but he really wanted to win the blue ribbon in the 100-yard race.

As Alfie made his way through the forest and down into the valley, he met his friends along the path. There was Seraphina the Snowy Owl, Caspian the Coyote, Primrose the Possum and Aya the Antelope. When they reached the fair, they saw colourful craft tables, music filling the air, and the aroma of freshly baked goods. Alfie saw the track where the races would be held, and he got nervous because it looked so long.

Alfie and his friends wasted no time when they got to the fair. They rode the ponies, played bean bag toss games, and ate too many treats from the food stalls. It was shaping up to be the best summer fair yet.

But just as the fair was in full swing, disaster struck. Dark clouds gathered in the sky, and thunder could be heard in the distance. A summer storm was brewing, and it looked like it would be a big one.

As raindrops began to fall, the stall owners tried to protect their crafts and food while the ground quickly turned into mud. Alfie and his friends gathered branches and leaves to help build covers over the stalls.

As the storm passed and the sun returned, a rainbow arched across the sky, casting a magical glow over the fairground. The animals cheered, but Alfie looked at all the water puddles on the race track, and he began to worry that the race would be cancelled.

“Poppa, will the race be cancelled?” Alfie asked his Dad.

“The race must go on, Alfie; you will just have to run around the water puddles.” said his Dad.

Suddenly, everyone heard a loud honk from Sally the Swan, signalling that the race would soon begin.

Alfie went to the race track to get his runner’s number and stood at the starting line. His animal friends watched Alfie get ready when the other runner showed up. 

Billy Bunny, Danny Deer, Brownie the Bear, and Timmy the Turtle were ready to go.

Rocky Racoon, the race master, barked out loud, “On your mark, get set, go!”

All the animals ran as fast as they could, trying to avoid the water puddles. Alfie had an early lead and could see the finish line when he hit a tree branch on the race track and fell. He started to cry because he would now come in last, even after Timmy the Turtle.

Just then, Billy Bunny, Danny Deer, and Brownie the Bear stopped running and looked back at Alfie, now covered in mud. With a quick nod, the three animal runners turned and ran back to Alfie.

“Let’s start the race again, Alfie, but don’t fall this time. OK,” said Billy Bunny.

“Thanks, guys,” said Alfie, “you are true friends. How about we just go back to the fair and get some more food?” said Alfie. Timmy the Turtle said, “Wait for me.”

Well, Alfie didn’t win a blue ribbon, but someone bought his bird house. As the animals were saying goodbye, Alfie’s proud Momma and Poppa gave him a big hug, and his little sister gave him a big kiss right in front of his friends.